Gambling Strategy Guide

Three Card Poker Tips

Easy and fun to play, three card poker is becoming one of the most popular form of poker. Played with a single deck of 52 cards, three-card poker is actually two games in one. There is the game you play against the dealer to see who has the highest hand (known as the ante/bet game) and a game separate game where you wager on whether or not you will be dealt a pair or better (known as the pair/plus). In most casinos and on many websites, you can bet on either of the games. However, some casinos require you to make a bet on the dealer game in order to bet the pair plus portion of the game. The mechanics of the game are as follows:

Starting it up: When you approach the table, you will notice three betting circles in front of each seat. The top betting circle is labeled “pair plus.” Beneath the pair plus circle there are two circles labeled “ante” and “play.” The game begins with the player making a wager in the pair plus and or ante circle. After each player has made his/her bet, each player is dealt a three-card hand. Play begins with the first player to the dealer’s left and continues clockwise around the table.

Ante/play: If a player has made a bet on the “ante,” they must make their decision to fold or play after looking at their hand. If the player folds he forfeits his wager. If the player wants to continue, he must make an additional bet in the “play” circle. That bet must equal the original ante bet. After all players have decided to play or fold, the dealer will reveal his three-card hand. In order for play to continue, the dealer must “qualify” with a hand that contains a Queen or higher. If the dealer’s hand does not qualify, all active players are paid even money for their ante wager. The play bet will be returned. If the dealer’s qualified, then their hand is compared to the player’s hand. If your hand beats the dealer, you will be paid even money for both your ante and play bets. If the dealer’s hand beats your hand, you lose both bets. In the event of a tie, the player wins the hand.

Hand ranks: Because players are dealt just three cards, the hand rankings are different than the rankings of traditional five card hands. Hands are ranked from highest to the lowest as follows:

Straight Flush: Three cards of the same suit in sequence order.

Three of a Kind: Three cards of equal rank.

Straight: Three cards in sequence, of mixed suits.

Flush: Three cards of the same suit.

Pair: Two cards of equal rank.

High Card: The highest card in your hand.

Ante Bonus: There is a bonus payout on the ante bet if you have a straight, three-of-a-kind or a straight flush. Regardless of whether you beat the dealer or not, you will be paid a bonus. The bonus payout is paid based on the pay table posted at the table. The payout schedule for the ante bonus varies among casinos and online gambling sites.

Ante bonus strategy: The strategy for the ante portion of three-card poker is simple. Always fold if you have a hand lower than Q-6-4. Continue if your hand is higher.  

Pair Plus: The pair plus wager is based on whether your three card hand has a pair or higher. It does not matter if the dealer qualifies or beats you. If your hand has a pair or better you win. If it does not have at least a pair you will lose.